Lillet Rouge Spritz

Lillet (pronounced lee-LAY) is a French aromatized and fortified wine made with 85% Bordeaux grapes and a blend of 15% citrus liqueurs. The mixture is stirred in oak vats until blended, then handled as a Bordeaux wine, undergoing fining, racking, and filtering. Lillet is most commonly served well-chilled or over ice with a twist of lemon, typically as an aperitif before dinner. There are three varieties: Blanc (white), Rosé, and Rouge (red).

For this cocktail, we’re using Lillet Rouge. Its flavor profile falls somewhere between sweet and bitter. The light acidity and subtle bitterness help whet the appetite before dinner, making it a perfect cocktail before a glass (or bottle) of red wine.

Lillet Rouge Spritz
makes 1 cocktail

shopping list —

• Lillet Rouge

• soda water

• twist or slice of lemon or orange

• ice cubes

equipment —

• wine glass

steps —

1. Fill a wine glass halfway with ice.

2. Pour equal parts Lillet Rouge and soda water over the ice.

3. Garnish with citrus.

A Brief History of Lillet

In 1872, brothers Paul and Raymond Lillet founded their company La Maison Lillet in Podensac, a small village south of Bordeaux. They introduced Lillet in 1887, Bordeaux’s first aperitif.

Lillet gained popularity as public concern about illness rose driven by the studies of Louis Pasteur (discoverer of the principles of pasteurization, vaccination, and microbial fermentation). Tonic wines, containing quinine, became widely consumed as quinine was used to fight fevers and ease malaria symptoms. Lillet’s appeal spread to post-World War 1 Britain, and it reached iconic status when Ian Fleming included the aperitif in the Vesper Martini in his James Bond novels. In 1962, Raymond’s grandson, Pierre, created Lillet Rouge to capitalize on the American market for red wine. More recently, Lillet Rosé was launched in 2011.

Though the original recipe has evolved slightly over time, a team of 10 people still craft the aperitif with care, safeguarding the company’s well-kept secret.